Course Overview:
This course is designed to provide a college-level experience and prepare students for the AP exam in early May. Students will be provided with a foundation for developing an understanding for biological concepts through scientific inquiry, investigations, interactive experiences, higher-order thinking, real-world applications, writing analytical essays, statistical analysis, interpreting and collecting data. The key big ideas of the AP Biology course are system interactions, evolution, energetics, information storage, and transmission. Students will participate in a variety of engaging activities that enhance their mastery of biology concepts.
Syllabus:
Segment 1
Module 01—Chemistry of Life
- Segment One Diagnostic Exam
- Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding
- Elements of Life
- Introduction to Biological Macromolecules
- Structure and Function of Macromolecules
- Chemistry of Life Discussion-Based Assessment
- Chemistry of Life Module Exam
Module 02—Cell Structure and Function
- Cell Structure and Function Checklist
- Cell Structure and Function
- Cell Size
- Plasma Membranes and Permeability
- Membrane Transport
- Facilitated Diffusion
- Tonicity and Osmoregulation
- Mechanism of Transport
- Cell Compartmentalization
- Cell Structure and Function Discussion-Based Assessment
- Cell Structure and Function Module Exam
Module 03—Cellular Energetics
- Cellular Energetics Checklist
- Enzymes
- Environmental Impacts on Enzymes Function
- Cellular Energy
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular Respiration
- Fitness
- Cellular Energetics Discussion-Based Assessment
- Cellular Energetics Module Exam
Module 04—Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
- Cell Communication and Cell Cycle Checklist
- Cell Communication
- Signal Transduction
- Changes to Signal Transduction
- Feedback
- Cell Cycle
- Regulation of Cell Cycle
- Cell Communication and Cell Cycle Discussion-Based Assessment
- Cell Communication and Cell Cycle Module Exam
- Segment One Exam
Segment 2
Module 05—Heredity
- Segment Two Diagnostic Exam
- Meiosis
- Meiosis and Genetic Diversity
- Mendelian Genetics
- Non-Mendelian Genetics
- Environmental Effects on Phenotype
- Chromosomal Inheritance
- Heredity Discussion-Based Assessment
- Heredity Module Exam
Module 06—Gene Expression and Regulation
- Gene Expression and Regulation Checklist
- DNA and RNA Structure
- Replication
- Transcription and RNA Processing
- Translation
- Regulation of Gene Expression
- Gene Expression and Cell Specialization
- Mutations
- Biotechnology
- Gene Expression and Regulation Discussion-Base Assessment
- Gene Expression and Regulation Module Exam
Module 07—Natural Selection
- Natural Selection Checklist
- Natural Selection
- Artificial Selection
- Population Genetics
- Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
- Evidence Of Evolution
- Phylogeny
- Speciation and Extinction
- Variation in Populations
- Origins of Life
- Natural Selection Discussion-Based Assessment
- Natural Selection Module Exam
Module 08—Ecology
- Ecology Checklist
- Responses to the Environment
- Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
- Population Ecology
- Effects of Density of Populations
- Community Ecology
- Biodiversity
- Disruptions of Ecosystems
- Ap Practice
- Ecology Discussion-Based Assessment
- Ecology Module Exam
